Yes, I Have a Child with the Villain

"Yeah, yeah, I’m getting up." After being rushed several times, Caroline Whitman was finally willing to get out of bed.

After washing up, she ambled into the living room. When she saw the familiar figure, her previously steady heart began to race.

The Adrian Grant standing before her was fully clothed this time. Even though Caroline’s heart was racing, it was more of a light jog than a full-on sprint.

It wasn’t as mortifying as yesterday.

Once she confirmed she wasn’t feeling the same overwhelming surge of emotion as yesterday, Caroline was finally sure.

’I just can’t look at his body for too long.’

’This must have started yesterday, after I watched him in the pool for half an hour.’

’After all, that night in Kingsport when I first stumbled upon him coming out of the shower, I didn’t have such a strong reaction.’

’Or maybe my crush on Adrian Grant was still just budding back then.’

Having figured things out, Caroline finally felt at ease enough to have breakfast with him.

"Morning."

Adrian Grant offered a polite greeting as she approached.

Caroline nodded. "You’re up quite early."

"Well, we did agree to leave at eight," Adrian Grant said with a faint smile.

"..."

At his words, Caroline glanced at the time. It was already seven-thirty.

’So it looks like my sleeping in caused the delay.’

"Come on, let’s eat."

Caroline pulled out a chair just as the little guy came running out of his room. He deftly scrambled onto his own chair and began to eat his breakfast quietly.

Ryan Grant must have been raised impeccably in a parallel universe. He hardly spoke a word during meals, only calling out for an adult’s help when he needed it.

Adrian didn’t mention the nosebleed at all, not even as they finished packing and headed out the door. Caroline let out a clear sigh of relief.

’To be honest, I’m not even sure if he saw my nosebleed last night.’

’But as long as he doesn’t bring it up, he’s a good man in my book.’

After they left, Adrian drove them to their first destination: Mount Vistara.

Adrian and Caroline didn’t have much of a plan for their itinerary at the resort.

Norcaster’s tourism industry was very well-developed.

All they had to do was follow the routes on the official tourist map.

That morning, they planned to go to Mount Vistara to see the waterfalls and the monkeys.

It was called a summer mountain resort for a reason. The moment they entered the area, the temperature was no longer as muggy and unbearable as it was in Kingsport.

In the evening, after coming down the mountain, having dinner, and returning to the villa, the little guy asked his dad to teach him how to swim.

Just like the day before, Caroline sat on a lounge chair not far from the pool.

Thanks to the brilliant sunset, her sunglasses came in handy once again.

In case of another sudden nosebleed, Caroline held a round fan she’d bought at the tourist spot, ready to use it as a shield. If anything felt off, she could quickly use it for cover.

And again, after watching for half an hour, Caroline got a nosebleed, just as she’d expected.

She calmly shielded half her face with the fan, raised a hand to her nose, and glanced at the streak of bright red on her fingertip. Caroline was lost in thought.

’Is it a little creepy for me to be sitting here, secretly watching him?’

’No, no, no.’

’To be attracted to beauty is only human nature.’

After reassuring herself, Caroline quietly got up and went to wash her face.

By the time she returned—after washing her face and taking a good ten minutes to compose herself—the little guy was already saying he wanted to get out of the pool.

"Mommy, I want to watch a movie tonight."

After getting out, the little guy dried himself off, wrapped a bath towel around his shoulders, and came bouncing over to Caroline. He stopped in front of her to announce his wish for the evening.

"Sure thing. What cartoon do you want to watch?"

"Daddy said he’ll find one for me after my bath."

"Alright, then hurry up and go take your bath."

Caroline glanced in Adrian’s direction. He was just stepping out of the water. He casually ran his slender fingers through his hair, combing it back. Droplets of water trickled down the slick strands and over his sharp jaw.

The next moment, he picked up a nearby bath towel and leisurely wrapped it around his torso.

Caroline silently averted her gaze and took her son for his bath.

「8:00 PM」

Freshly bathed, the family of three snuggled on the sofa, watching one of the most popular animated movies of recent years on a projector screen.

Adrian had picked the movie, and he’d made sure its content was appropriate before letting his son watch it.

The child was the star of the show tonight, so he sat between the two of them, as usual.

But Caroline, who had no interest in cartoons, was getting sleepy. Combined with a full day of strenuous activity and no afternoon nap, it only took a few minutes before her head started to nod. Finally, she slumped sideways, her head resting on Ryan’s little shoulder.

The little guy instantly froze, his eyes pleading for help from his dad beside him.

Adrian turned and cupped his hand to support Caroline’s head. He whispered to Tiny, "Come sit over here with me."

Ryan quickly slid off the sofa, scurried over to Adrian’s left side, and sat down obediently.

Caroline was gently guided into his arms, her head coming to rest on his lap. The moment she settled, her body unconsciously relaxed, and she stretched out completely.

Adrian paused the movie and turned to Tiny. "Go get a blanket for your mom from the bedroom."

"Okay."

Ryan obediently slid off the sofa. He scurried to the bedroom on his short little legs, pulled a blanket from the bed, hugged it to his chest, and ran back out with a PATTER PATTER.

Once he reached the sofa, he covered his mom with the little blanket all by himself, without Adrian having to say a word.

Only after doing all that did he run back to his dad’s side, sit down obediently, and continue watching the movie.

Half an hour later, the little ball of a boy beside him had gone from sitting up, to leaning on him, to lying down on the sofa, and had finally curled up with his back to the projector screen, fast asleep.

Adrian glanced down at the large and small figures sleeping beside him. "..."

Sometimes, he really wondered if Ryan actually liked watching cartoons.

He knew for a fact that Caroline had no interest in them.

Adrian’s gaze shifted from his son and slowly fell upon the face resting on his lap. He then looked at his hand, which she had unconsciously taken hold of.

He gently caressed her hand.

He then looked away, leaned back languidly against the sofa, and finished the animated movie he had picked for his son all by himself.

The woman in his arms still hadn’t woken up.

He turned off the projector, and the living room was instantly plunged into darkness.

Only a sliver of light spilled out from the bedroom.

Adrian lifted Caroline into his arms and carried her into the bedroom with long strides.

Just as he reached the bed, the woman in his arms stirred and rubbed her eyes.

When Caroline woke up, she found herself suspended in the air by a pair of arms. She cracked her eyes open, momentarily dazed by the room’s bright incandescent light.

The next second, a deep voice sounded from above her. "You have the worst timing."

Immediately after, she was gently placed on the soft bed.

A shadow fell over her, blocking the glare. Her eyes finally adjusted, and she opened them fully.

’So close.’ Caroline found herself staring at the neck just a finger’s breadth away.

A familiar scent filled her senses.

It was Adrian’s scent.

Faint, but very pleasant.

’Over time, I’ve come to associate that scent with him. Catching a whiff of it anywhere else instantly brings him to mind.’